Experience Christmas is a 19-day devotional series based on the Scriptural narrative and aimed at creating space during a beautiful, but hectic time of year to wonder at the miracle of Christmas. You’re joining us for our final devotional – Christmas Day – with music from Kari Jobe and thoughts for your journey forward.

Listen

What Love is This, Kari Jobe
YouTube | Lyrics | iTunes

Read

John 1:1-18

Merry Christmas

I hope that today is filled not only with the joy of friends and family but also with the fullness of God’s presence in your life.

I hope that you have found the space you’ve needed to wonder at the miracle of Christmas and that you are ready and prepared to fully experience this day like no other Christmas Day before.

I have been praying throughout this month that something through this journey has awakened in your heart, tugging you closer towards the Savior.

We all need a Savior.

This is the fundamental truth at the very heart of Christmas. Not one of us is capable of standing before a Holy God, pure and perfect and free of sin on our own. Like Adam and Eve, our sin has separated us from God forever, and that sin is what condemns us to death.

But Jesus –

Sweet, Jesus, has made the way that leads to life with God. He lived the perfect life we could not, and then carried our sin to the cross where He became death for us, making us right with God.

When we admit that we are sinners in need of rescue,

When we acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ –
God’s promised Savior and Redeemer,

When we believe that He died for us, rising again three days later –
Victorious over our condition,

When we confess that He is Lord of our lives,

We. Can. Be. Saved.

This is the gift that came to us as a baby in the manger.

This is the promise of God fulfilled and complete.

This is the honest-to-goodness real and vibrant life we have been searching for, bringing with it the most joyous hope we could ever know –

Peace with God.

And this, friends, is why we celebrate the miracle of today.

Consider

• Have you accepted the gift of Jesus?
• Are you confident of your right standing with God through Him?
• What next steps might God be asking you to take in your spiritual journey?
• How will your experience of Christmas affect you moving forward?

For Further Study

If you have never before accepted the gift of Jesus’ salvation and promise of new life, I would encourage you to do that today. I’ve included a few brief resources to help you take this incredible next step of your faith journey.

The Romans Road of Salvation, from gotquestions.org

• Every one is a sinner (Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10-18)
• The wages of our sin is death (Romans 6:23)
• Jesus is the gift of God that brings us life (Romans 5:8)
• If we confess with our mouths Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts God raised Him from the dead we can be saved (Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13)
• When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience peace with God (Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:38-39)

Three Practical Ways to Commit to your Spiritual Growth

Take time to read the Word of God.
If you’re new to the Bible, start with the book of John. If you don’t have a Bible, YouVersion is a great free Bible app that also supports devotional reading plans.

Talk to God daily.
You don’t have to be in a certain place or posture, with all the right words written out in front of you to pray. Just talk to God. Let Him into your everyday needs, and concerns, and joys. In Ephesians 6:18 it says to pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Your Father loves to hear your voice, and as you’re listening, you’ll begin to discern His.

Find a group of like-minded believers.
Life with Christ was never meant to be lived alone. Find a Church body that you can share with and learn from and walk this life with Jesus together.

Pray

Thank God for His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and by faith, accept His gift.

Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of your grace. I know that your sacrifice on the cross exchanged the death that I deserved for new life in Your name. I ask that you would forgive me, and by faith I trust in you for my salvation and acknowledge you as the Lord of my life.

For a complete list of devotional posts visit the Experience Christmas series page. Sign up to receive posts directly via email by completing the online subscription form and join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #ExperienceChristmasDevotional. See my disclosure page for iTunes and other affiliate information.